This is the fifth article in our series about what it takes to develop an electronic product in China. Let's look at the prototyping stage.
The imaginary example we thought of, the Drone Intruder Interception System, is a complex design. It would require many different prototype models which would require different prototyping methods.
For each element, there needs to be functional prototypes that not only work and function on their own but also as a system. This allows for individual … [Read more...]

After the design of the PCBA schematics comes the time to choose a chip set and to start working on the firmware.
(If you are not inclined to read technical how-to articles, this will be quite boring to you... But we are trying to give a complete picture of what it takes to develop an electronic product.)
Let's look at these 2 steps one by one.
1. Chip set selection
A microprocessor uses microelectronic fabrication techniques to shrink the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to a very small … [Read more...]

The board schematics and the choice of chip set are an important step when developing an electronic product. Let's look into this, in this third article in our series (part 1 is here, part 2 is here)
In a complex product system like we are discussing with the drone intruder interceptor, there will be multiple printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA), each having a specific function within the system.
Some of these PCBAs will be size sensitive, which may require dedicated miniature or micro … [Read more...]

Last week I posted part 1 of our series on What It Takes to Develop a New Electronic Product in China.
In this second part, we look at R&D and at the evaluation of power consumption.
1. R&D (both in-house & with a manufacturing partner)
1.1 Functional and System Development
Research and development involve a lot of work that is typically split between your in-house capabilities (if you employ designers and engineers) and your supplier capabilities.
One extreme is a company … [Read more...]

More and more companies work with a Chinese manufacturing partner to develop a new complex new product that includes electronic and mechanical components.
We decided to start a new series of articles. It will be based on a fictitious new product.
The product concept
There are more and more drones, sometimes used for malevolent purposes (checking if an isolated villa can be broken into, etc.). This situation creates a need for a solution to "arrest" a drone without causing safety concerns … [Read more...]

A friend shared an interesting article from The Economist with me. It is entitled Shenzhen is a hothouse of innovation.
What really allowed Shenzhen to become so economically successful? Because of the open policy that started there? Because it is close to Hong Kong? Yes but also for other reasons.
The official story attributes Shenzhen’s success to brave party leaders and far-sighted policies. Deng Xiaoping is lauded for liberalising the region’s economy. Later political leaders receive … [Read more...]

If you want to work with a Chinese manufacturer to develop a new product, you need to evaluate their engineering capability. (If you only buy off-the-shelf products, this article won't be useful.)
In addition to the questions a purchaser can ask prior to a visit, there are 5 key attributes you really need to check. Those 5 attributes will move your new product through the product development phases and into production more or less quickly.
Typically, one of your designers/engineers … [Read more...]

Chinese factories hate small orders. And, when they do get a large order, they hate having to cut it in several small production batches.
There are several reasons for this:
Most manufacturers here pay their direct labor by the piece. So operators love to work on the same thing for several weeks – they get used to it and slowly gain in productivity. If they start and stop, they don’t have time to get used to it, and there is a direct impact on their pay.
The managers and their … [Read more...]

Planning the production of a new, customized product to be made in China is not an easy task.
Many new products being launched using crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter have delays – in some cases they are more than 6 months late. (See the typical delays we have observed here.)
Actually, delays have to be expected if the business founders have no prior experience of manufacturing in China. Unless they get really lucky and pick a supplier that happens to be a very good fit and to … [Read more...]

Let's say you have been developing a new product. The plan, of course, is to bring it to market as soon as possible. Your company's strategy is to ‘produce it in China’.
How long will it take?
Probably longer than you'd guess, as we are going to see.
From a project management point of view, you would need to plan for all the steps to take -- selecting a Chinese partner, getting tools made, starting up production, and getting the goods shipped out.
The first time you attempt to create … [Read more...]

Quality Inspections & Supply Chain Management in China

This blog is written by Renaud Anjoran, an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer who has been involved in Chinese manufacturing since 2005.
Renaud's company performs factory audits/evaluations, product QC inspections, and factory process improvements.